Touchy Topics Tuesday’s Post

#CommunityTheRemix

What does intersectionality mean to you? #CommunityTheRemix

#BeingBlackIsExceptional Tiffany Robertson Founder of Touchy Topics Tuesday Maker of Mistakes. Giver of Grace. My name means “Revelation of God” My journey is the destination.

#BeingBlackIsExceptional My name is DeVeria Flowers, and I am a Political and Non-Profit Compliance Accountant. I have been working in this industry for over 20 years and it is very fulfilling, but it also keeps me very busy! I represent progressive Democratic PACs, candidates and nonprofits that work tirelessly trying to make things better for the everyday person. My hectic schedule has dictated to me that I have to find and maintain balance in order to do all of the things that I need to do from day to day. I have a home life, I have my business with my clients, I'm very involved with my religious organization and I have a large extended family that is spread over several states. During the pandemic, I worked so much, but everyone was going through a scary time where we didn't know what was going to happen from one day to the next. It was at this time that I realized that I needed something else to help relieve my stress and anxiety. Whoever thought I would have found it in coloring! The mental escapes helped me to recharge my mind and spirit. My mother suggested that I try one of her coloring apps on her phone. That was okay, but didn't really do it for me. Each day I try to speak over myself, so to speak. So one day I decided that I was going to create an actual coloring book and use positive affirmations. Thus, Color Escape was born. After I published the first inspirational coloring book for adults, I began to think and realize that our children needed this same help. So along came Color Escape For Children and Color Escape Toddler Edition which is a learning and activity book and it has positive affirmations at the end. Our children are never too young to learn and the positive reinforcement should start at an early age! I am currently on a quest to get these books all over the world to help everyone realize the benefits that come with this favorite past-time activity. When we are more relaxed, we are happier, we are at peace and that peace evolves to the ones around us. By making a difference in my community, in the communities that Color Escape reaches, it will make a positive difference in this world of ours.

#BeingBlackIsExceptional Anaja “AJ” Sander “Be Good To People For No Reason” I have experienced sexual abuse, lost my father to lung cancer, lost two sisters to cancer in a year and a half, my mother had cancer 3 times, lost my brother to a plane crash, lost my breasts to BRCA1, lost my work to covid, but nothing - and I mean NOTHING is worse, or can ever prepare you for a call from your out of breath daughter, crying that someone is shooting at her in her school, and she can’t find her other two siblings. It is never about a glass half empty or half full - there is SOMETHING in the glass. Women of color - keep your cape handy. Hell. What are you ever doing with it off? Anaja “AJ” Sander is a coach who is passionate about giving a voice to the needs of others, & concentrates her efforts on overseeing internal operations, providing strategic direction, & training organizational leaders to positively bring meaningful change. AJ is a professional mentor and leader for the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Prior, AJ served as the Chair/Vice Chair of the Ferguson Youth Initiative. AJ is a Leadership 100 member of the Regional Business Council, where she also served as a business & career mentor for Dean-selected university students. AJ served as an equity advisor for the new Brickline Greenway with Great Rivers Greenway. She served as a mentor for the International Institute, served as a board member for the Crime Victim Advocacy Center and led initiatives with The Salvation Army, Boy Scouts of America, Explore St. Louis & the St. Louis Civic Pride Foundation. In her free time, AJ loves farming, beekeeping, travel, outdoor festivals, live music and experiencing new restaurants. She enjoys stand-up comedy, aquatic activities, learning new skills & meeting new people to share these experiences with.

#BeingBlackIsExceptional With 12 years experience, Nicole has built an amazing career in the beauty industry. She has traveled nationally to study her craft, service wedding parties, work on stage productions, and to work with celebrities. Even though she has worked with many celebrities, Nicole prides herself on making all women look and feel red carpet ready. As an artist, Nicole specializes in natural yet glamorous makeup looks. Her clients are always impressed with how clean their makeup is and how long it lasts. Her favorite part of her business is helping women glow from within and exude confidence through their enhanced beauty. An appointment with Nicole is rarely just about makeup. As a woman of God, Nicole avails herself to be a vessel. As she is led- she will pour into, encourage, and even pray with her clients when needed. She cherishes the connection she has with her clientele. https://lnkd.in/e-4hvfyX

#BeingBlackIsExceptional My name is Michelle Reddic and I have been serving in the education world for the past 20 years. I have taught grades 5th, 6th, and 8th at Premier Charter School. My favorite part of teaching is making connections and building relationships with the students and families. I am currently serving as the Character, Empowerment, Equity & Inclusion Coach at PCS. I coach and support new teachers and I am also studying and researching best practices to ensure that all students and staff feel welcomed and accepted at our school.

#BeingBlackIsExceptional Ishca is the daughter of Ricky & Maria Gibson. Ishca has two older brothers, a younger sister, only 16 months apart, and a bonus brother. Ishca has five nephews, two nieces, and one godson. She is currently an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) in Special School District by day, Graphic Designer by night with her small business IMG Imagery and Designs and a blogger on the weekend of Know Your Worth Blog. Ishca has worked in education for a total of 13 yrs. She has been working with special needs children since 2015. Worked in classrooms ranging from early childhood intensive classrooms to self contained AU in elementary. Ishca gets a chance to work with amazing kiddos with bright futures! Ishca also has a small business that was started by serving in her local church. IMG works with clients needing designs for products, customized logos, customized flyers, banners, postcards, business cards, etc. IMG was featured in VOYAGE STL magazine’s Aug. 2, 2021 article. She currently serves at Excel Church St. Louis. Ishca strongly believes in servant leadership in your home, local church and community. Ishca has a heart to empower individuals to know their worth in every environment that they’re in! She became a blogger of knowyourworthblog.me during the pandemic. This was born from a place of being empowered by God in understanding her worth outside of what she could perform with outward things and growing in understanding of knowing the power of healthy boundaries. This blog shares areas of… ▫️Walking free from Depression ▫️Finding your identity in Christ ▫️Finding the will of God for your life ▫️Healthy boundaries & healing ▫️Finding your voice after spiritual abuse If you're interested in graphics or her blog, you can visit her website imgimageryanddesigns.com & blog knowyourworthblog.me.

#BeingBlackIsExceptional Founded on the belief that financial education and coaching requires culturally competent, holistic and bold programming and strategy, Project Urban Ed operates at the intersection of economic justice, healing, and community rebuilding by offering culturally relevant financial education, realistic and sustainable financial planning, and tangible pre-determined outcomes. Originally from East St. Louis, CEO/Founder Angel McCain has studied and worked in the Saint Louis and Metro East region her entire career. In addition to Project Urban Ed, Angel serves on Forward Through Ferguson's Racial Healing and Justice Fund Board, and is the Saint Louis Region Director for an education and training program, which connects young adults from under-resourced communities with career opportunities across the country.